Monday, September 19, 2016

Flying with your photographic equipment

Lots of our customers take equipment overseas, but what they don't always appreciate is that some airlines - including some that you might otherwise think of as "decent" airlines - are surprisingly stingy with their carry-on allowances. This can limit the maximum bag size and, perhaps even more importantly for photographers, weight. Obviously we all want our photographic equipment to go in our carry-on bag rather than being consigned to the hold where there is a greater risk of it being damaged, misrouted, lost, or stolen. So we thought it would be helpful to tabulate what various different airlines allow you to carry on.

Please note that the precise details of what you're allowed to take into the cabin can involve a lot of small print. For example some airlines allow you to take carry on a bag of duty-free purchases in addition to your allowance; others insist that any duty-free shopping must be packed into the bag you carry on. Some allow items such as books or newspapers, an umbrella, and food purchased in the airport in addition to your allowance; some don't. So it's a good idea always check the small print on the airline's website. But this guide should get you started.

We'll try to keep this guide up to date. If you spot any errors, or updates, do please let us know. And if there's an airline you think it would be useful to add to this list, again do please let us know.